Finding 2025-005 – Revenue Recognition Cutoff and Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards – Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Noncompliance (Repeat Finding – Prior Year 2024-002) Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Uniform Guidance, 2 CFR 200.510(b), requires the auditee to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the financial statements, which must include the total federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.403 requires that costs charged to federal awards be allocable, allowable, and properly recorded in the period in which they are incurred. 27 Condition: During the audit of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, it was determined that revenue earned under the Indian Health Service Behavioral Health Programs grant (CFDA 93.654, Award No. BH22IHS0008) during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 was not recognized until the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The misapplication of the revenue recognition cutoff resulted in federal award revenue and expenditures being reported on the SEFA in the incorrect fiscal year, requiring a material post-close adjusting journal entry. This finding is a repeat of prior year Finding 2024-002. Cause and Effect: Controls over the period-end review of federal award revenue recognition and SEFA preparation were not operating effectively. The Organization did not perform a sufficient review of grant expenditure activity and award eligibility requirements relative to the June 30 fiscal year-end cutoff. The recurrence of this condition, despite being identified and reported in the prior year audit, indicates that corrective actions implemented were not sufficient to prevent the issue from recurring. Auditors' Recommendations: Management should implement a formal SEFA preparation and review process to ensure federal award expenditures are accurately reported for each fiscal year. A designated Finance staff member with sufficient knowledge of the Uniform Guidance requirements should be responsible for overseeing SEFA preparation for each fiscal year-end. A grant-by-grant SEFA reconciliation should be completed prior to year-end close. Management should engage its external accountants earlier in the year-end close process to allow sufficient time to identify and correct any SEFA discrepancies prior to fieldwork. Management's Response: Management has implemented a series of 3 checks and balance procedures for monthly review for SEFA procedures. A finance staff member with Uniform Guidance requirements will prepare the annual statement preparation at year end with review from Director of Finance and Board Treasurer before submission.
Program: COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds / HOME Investment Partnership Program Federal Financial Assistance Listing Number.: 21.027 / 14.239 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of the Treasury / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Award Number and Year: Affects all grant awards included under assistance listing 14.239 and 21.027 on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Compliance Requirement: Other – Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) §200.510(b) - Schedule of Expenditures of Federal awards Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) §200.510(b) states that the auditee (the City) must prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. §200.331 of the Uniform Guidance states the City is responsible for making case-by-case determinations to determine whether the entity receiving the Federal funds is a subrecipient. In addition, §200.303 of the Uniform Guidance states that the City must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal awards, including controls over the accuracy of program information and expenditure amounts. Condition: During our audit procedures performed over the SEFA we noted the following: • The City did not properly identify the amount expended for the COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL No. 21.027. The expenditures reported by the City were understated by $176,324. • The City did not properly identify the amount of Federal funding passed through to subrecipients for the COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, AL No. 21.027. The amount passed through to subrecipients reported by the City was understated by $418,183. • The City did not properly identify the amount of Federal funding passed through to subrecipients for the Home Investment Partnerships Program, AL No. 14.239. The amount passed through to subrecipients reported by the City was overstated by $2,591,181. Cause: As a result, the City lacked adequate internal controls to ensure the SEFA is completely and accurately stated. Specifically, the City’s processes for recording and tracking expenditures of Federal awards are not designed so that expenditures are identified when incurred. In addition, the City’s processes for identifying and reporting subrecipients are not designed to ensure appropriate reporting on the SEFA. Effect: Adjustments to the SEFA were required. Questioned Costs: No questioned costs were identified as a result of our procedures. Context/Sampling: No sampling was used. Program expenditures and amounts passed through to subrecipients were reconciled to the supporting records. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No. Recommendation: The City, including all its reporting departments, should follow existing policies, procedures and internal controls to ensure all expenditures and amounts passed through to subrecipients are accurately tracked and reported on the SEFA. Personnel knowledgeable of federal expenditures should review amounts coded to federal programs for completeness and accuracy. The SEFA should be prepared and reviewed in a timely manner and reconciled to underlying records as well as the basic financial statements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: See separate corrective action plan.
Internal Control over Preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal, State, and City Awards (SEFA), Assistance Listing Numbers (ALNs) - All Condition: Management’s SEFA did not include the ALNs for all of its federal awards with expenditures during the fiscal year. Criteria: “A non-Federal entity that expends $750,000 or more during the non-Federal entity's fiscal year in Federal awards must have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year in accordance with the provisions of the Uniform Guidance Part 2 CFR section 200.50 (a). In order to accomplish this, “The auditee must also prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with § 200.502” per Part 2 CFR section 200.510 (b) of the Uniform Guidance. This guidance includes the requirement that the SEFA include the ALN for each grant award included in the schedule. Cause: When awards are received during the year, management does not confirm the source of funding or the ALN with the awarding agency. Effect: The SEFA provided by management in advance of the audit was misstated because two (2) federal awards with expenditures totaling $1,695,881 were excluded. This had a direct and material effect on the audit of the major programs. Context: The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) relies on pass-through agencies to provide the funding sources, including the related ALN. Two of the award agreements did not include this information, and it was only identified that the programs were federally funded upon receipt of the audit confirmation responses. As a result, the SEFA initially provided by the CFO did not include these two programs. Recommendation: We recommend management implement policies and procedures in which the funding source of all awards (including ALN) be obtained from funders at the time that all awards are granted. View of responsible officials and Planned Corrective Actions: ECA agrees with this finding and has created a policy for identification and verification of funding sources for all contracts. This will ensure that all contracts are screened for federal funding regardless of what is listed in the contract/award/agreement. ECA will review its existing contracts to confirm all funding sources.
Finding 2025-006 – Lack of Internal Controls and Noncompliance Over the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards PASS-THROUGH GRANTOR: Direct Grant FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.027 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2024 and 2025 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance; Procurement and Suspension and Debarment; and Reporting QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: During our review and reconciliation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA), as initially prepared by the County, we identified federal programs that were not reported accurately resulting in federal expenditures being overstated by $180,422. Cause of Condition: The County has not designed and implemented formal internal controls for the reporting of its federal programs as required by federal regulations. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in the material misstatement of the County’s SEFA. Recommendation: OSAI recommends the County Officials and Department Heads gain an understanding of federal programs awarded to McCurtain County. Internal control procedures should be designed and implemented to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures on the SEFA and to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Management Response: Chairman Board of County Commissioners: The current Board of County Commissioners acknowledges the finding. The Board is committed to improving the identification, tracking, and reporting of federal awards. County officials will continue working with auditors and department heads to strengthen reconciliation and review procedures and ensure federal activity is accurately reported on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. County Clerk: The County Clerk will work with the Board of County Commissioners to adopt policies and procedures for federal awards. County Treasurer: The County Treasurer acknowledges the finding. The Treasurer's Office will continue maintaining accurate accounting records of federal receipts and expenditures and will cooperate with county officials and auditors during the preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. Additional review and reconciliation procedures will be encouraged to improve the accuracy of federal reporting.Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 2 CFR § 200.508(b) Auditee responsibilities reads as follows: The auditee must: Prepare appropriate financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards in accordance with §200.510 Financial statements. 2 CFR § 200.510(b) Financial statements reads, in part, as follows: Schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Further, GAO Standards – Section 2 – Objectives of an Entity – OV2.23 states in part: Compliance Objectives Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements.
State Agency: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Federal Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Program Name: Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund ALN and Program Expenditures: 66.458 ($98,866,713), 66.468 ($119,453,692) Award Numbers: Various – see table of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various – see table of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: None Finding 2025-006 Inaccurate Reporting of Federal Expenditures Condition Found: IEPA did not accurately report Federal expenditures, including amounts passed-through to subrecipients, under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs. Federal expenditures, including amounts provided to subrecipients, reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) which were used to prepare the schedule of expenditure of federal awards (SEFA), did not agree to IEPA’s financial records provided for audit. Specifically, we noted the following differences between amounts provided for audit by IEPA and the amounts passed through to subrecipients of the CWSRF and DWSRF programs reported to the IOC for the SEFA for the year ended June 30, 2025. "See full report for chart/table." Finally, we noted IEPA’s controls over reporting federal expenditures, including amounts passed-through to subrecipients, were not designed at a sufficient level of precision to ensure complete and accurate reporting in a timely manner. Criteria or Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Among other things required by 2 CFR 200.510(b), the SEFA must include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures, including amounts passed-through to subrecipients, are accurately reported on the SEFA and to other State agencies, where applicable. Cause: In discussing these conditions with IEPA management, they stated the differences between IEPA records of federal expenditures and amounts passed through to subrecipients compared to the State’s SEFA were due to inclusion of accrued expenditures and some vouchers in transit at the end of the fiscal year. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to accurately report federal expenditures impedes the completion of an audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance which may result in the suspension of federal funding. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. (Finding code 2025-006) Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend IEPA establish procedures to accurately report federal expenditures (including subrecipient expenditures) used to prepare the SEFA to the IOC. Views of IEPA Officials: IEPA accepts the recommendation. IEPA will establish additional procedures to ensure federal expenditures (including subrecipient expenditures) are accurately reported.
State Agency: Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Program Name: Unemployment Insurance Program ALN and Program Expenditures: 17.225 ($2,467,054,918) Award Numbers: Various – see table of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various – see table of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: None Finding 2025-014: Inaccurate Reporting of Federal Expenditures Condition Found: IDES did not accurately report Federal expenditures under the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program. Federal expenditures reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) which were used to prepare the schedule of expenditure of federal awards (SEFA) did not agree to IDES’ financial records provided for audit. Specifically, we noted the following differences between amounts provided for audit by IDES and the SEFA amounts reported to the IOC for the Unemployment Insurance program for the year ended June 30, 2025: "See full report for chart/table." Finally, we noted IDES’s controls over reporting federal expenditures were not designed at a sufficient level of precision to ensure complete and accurate reporting in a timely manner. Criteria or Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA. Cause: In discussing these conditions with IDES officials, they stated competing priorities delayed the adjustments to remove Federal returns from the SEFA. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to accurately report federal expenditures inhibits the completion of an audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance which may result in the suspension of federal funding. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was reported in prior year audit as finding number 2025-014. (Finding Code 2025-014, 2024-033, 2023-042) Recommendation: We recommend IDES establish procedures to accurately report federal expenditures used to prepare the SEFA to the IOC. Views of IDES Officials: IDES accepts the recommendation. IDES is working with GOMB to create a policy around the removal of Federal returns.
State Agency: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Program Name: WIOA Cluster ALN and Program Expenditures: 17.258/17.259/17.278 ($146,186,461) Award Numbers: Various – see table of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various – see table of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: None Finding 2025-016 Inaccurate Reporting of Federal Expenditures Condition Found: DCEO did not accurately report Federal expenditures under the WIOA Cluster program. Federal expenditures reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) which were used to prepare the schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) did not properly reflect interagency expenditures for the WIOA Cluster program for the year ended June 30, 2025. Specifically, we noted the following differences between amounts provided for audit by DCEO and the SEFA amounts reported to the IOC for the WIOA Cluster program for the year ended June 30, 2025: "See full report for chart/table." Finally, we noted DCEO’s controls over reporting federal expenditures were not designed at a sufficient level of precision to ensure complete and accurate reporting in a timely manner. Criteria or Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statement which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Among other things required by 2 CFR 200.510(b), the SEFA must include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA and to other State agencies, where applicable. Cause: In discussing these conditions with DCEO officials, they stated the difference related to an error which eliminated the reporting of WIOA Cluster expenditures made by the Illinois Department of Employment Security for services provided as part of an intergovernmental agreement. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to accurately report federal expenditures impedes the completion of an audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance which may result in the suspension of federal funding. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was not reported in the prior year audit. (Finding Code 2025-016) Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend DCEO establish procedures to accurately report federal expenditures used to prepare the SEFAto the IOC. Views of DCEO Officials: DCEO agrees with the finding and recommendations.
State Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) Program Name: WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Cluster ALN and Program Expenditures: 10.557 ($211,116,030), 93.558 ($593,881,225), 93.575/93.596 ($424,695,722) Award Numbers: Various – see table of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various – see table of award numbers Questioned Costs: Cannot be determined Compliance Requirement: Activities Allowed/Unallowed Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Special Test and Provision – Written Agreements as Part of Program, Integrity and Accountability Finding 2025-034 Inadequate Process for Monitoring Interagency Program Expenditures Condition Found: IDHS does not have an adequate process for monitoring interagency expenditures claimed under or used to meet maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements of the WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and CCDF Cluster (CCDF) programs. Federal and State expenditures under the WIC, TANF and CCDF Cluster programs are comprised of programs operated by various State agencies. As the State agency responsible for administering these programs, IDHS has executed interagency agreements with each of the State agencies expending federal and/or State program funds. The interagency agreements require periodic reporting of a summary of the agency’s “allowable” expenditures to IDHS for preparation of the financial reports required for each program. As the State agencies expending program funds do not determine under which program IDHS reports their expenditures, IDHS is responsible for establishing procedures to ensure the expenditures reported by the expending State agencies meet the specific requirements applicable to the federal program. During the year ended June 30, 2025, IDHS reported expenditures from other agencies that were claimed for reimbursement or used to meet MOE requirements as follows: "See full report for chart/table." IDHS’ procedures to monitor other State agencies expending program funds reported by IDHS include the following: Interagency agreements were reviewed and updated (where necessary) to include all State programs claimed under or used to meet MOE requirements of the WIC, TANF and CCDF Cluster programs in its interagency agreement. Program questionnaires were updated where necessary and distributed to each of the State agencies to assist in documenting the nature of the expenditures provided to IDHS and the internal controls established to ensure compliance with the applicable federal regulations. Quarterly certification reports were collected from each of the State agencies to support amounts reported in the federal reports required for each federal program. Expenditure details were obtained from each of the State agencies and were reconciled to the quarterly certifications. However, during our test work over the documentation of the monitoring procedures discussed above, we noted the following deficiencies: Program questionnaires describing internal control procedures for the WIC and CCDF programs were not obtained by IDHS from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois Board of Higher Education, and Illinois Community College Board. Rather, for the CCDF program passthroughs a more limited questionnaire was obtained in the State's Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Audit Report Review Management System (ARRMS) which is used to complete risk assessments procedures for the State’s subrecipients. Quarterly certification reports were not prepared during the period for the WIC, CCDF, and TANF programs by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Community College Board. IDHS did not perform a detailed review of costs claimed from expenditures reported by any of the other State agencies to ensure they met the specific program requirements. The other State agencies do not necessarily know which federal program or maintenance of effort requirement the costs they are providing to IDHS will be claimed or used and are not able to assess whether the costs are allowable. Further, IDHS did not assess whether the expenditures reported by other State agencies were paid during State fiscal year 2025 to ensure the amounts reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) and used to prepare the schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) were cash basis expenditures. Criteria or Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statement which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Among other things required by 2 CFR 200.510(b), the SEFA must include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA and to other State agencies, where applicable. Cause: In discussing these conditions with IDHS officials, management stated that the current monitoring process was not adequate to ensure interagency expenditures and MOE of federal monies from other State agencies met applicable program regulations as they relate to WIC, TANF, and CCDF. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to properly monitor interagency expenditures may result in claiming of expenditures that are inconsistent with the objectives of the federal program and federal funds being expended for unallowable purposes. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was reported in the prior year audit as finding number 2024-006. (Finding Code 2025-034, 2024-006, 2023-017) Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend IDHS review its current process for identifying and reporting interagency expenditures and implement monitoring procedures to ensure that federal and state expenditures expended by other State agencies meet the applicable program regulations.Views of IDHS Officials: The Department accepts the recommendation. IDHS will establish additional monitoring procedures, including sampling interagency expenditures and reviews of support documentation to ensure expenditures related to federal grants (including those made by other agencies and those made to subrecipients) are accurately reported in accordance with federal program requirements.
State Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of Education (USDE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), U.S. Social Security Administration (USSSA), Program Name: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Cluster Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, Food Distribution Cluster, Rehabilitation Services – Vocational Rehabilitation, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Cluster, Social Services Block Grant, Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse, Disability Insurance/SSI Cluster ALN and Program Expenditures: 10.551/10.561 ($4,676,894,737), 10.557 ($211,116,030), 10.565/10.568/10.569 ($50,371,063), 84.126A ($157,890,252), 93.558 ($593,881,225), 93.575/93.596 ($424,695,722), 93.667 ($53,464,167), 93.959 ($102,558,387), 96.001/96.006 ($79,315,142) Award Numbers: Various – see table of award numbers Federal Award Year: Various – see table of award numbers Questioned Costs: None Compliance Requirement: None Finding 2025-042 Inaccurate Reporting of Federal Expenditures Condition Found: IDHS did not accurately report Federal expenditures, including amounts provided to subrecipients, under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Cluster, WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs, Food Distribution Cluster (FDC), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Funds (CCDF) Cluster, Social Services Block Grants (SSBG), Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse (SAPT), and Disability Insurance/SSI (SSDI) Cluster. Federal expenditures, including amounts provided to subrecipients, reported to the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC) which were used to prepare the schedule of expenditure of federal awards (SEFA) did not agree to IDHS’ financial records provided for audit. Specifically, we noted the following differences between amounts provided for audit by IDHS and the SEFA amounts reported to the IOC for each program for the year ended June 30, 2025: "See full report for chart/table." The following differences were also identified relative to amounts provided to subrecipients for the following major programs: "See full report for chart/table." Additionally, we noted the cash basis expenditures provided by IDHS for our audit procedures included accrued (not paid) expenditures. We also noted these same amounts were reported to the IOC and were used to prepare the SEFA. Specifically, we noted expenditures that were not paid as of June 30, 2025, were erroneously reported as cash basis expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2025: "See full report for chart/table." We also noted the interagency expenditures provided by IDHS for our audit procedures included out of period expenditures. These same amounts were reported to the IOC and were used to prepare the SEFA. Specifically, we noted TANF Emergency Assistance (EA) payments which were claimed in fiscal year 2025 but reported in fiscal year 2024 totaling $14,742,262, and we noted EA payments which were claimed in fiscal year 2026 but were reported in fiscal year 2025 totaling $14,849,458. The net impact is an overstatement of TANF expenditures of $107,196 for the year ended June 30, 2025. Finally, we noted IDHS’ controls over reporting federal expenditures were not designed at a sufficient level of precision to ensure complete and accurate reporting in a timely manner. Criteria or Requirement: According to 2 CFR 200.510(b), a recipient of federal awards is required to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the entity’s financial statement which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502. Among other things required by 2 CFR 200.510(b), the SEFA must include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. Additionally, 2 CFR 200.303 requires non-Federal entities receiving Federal awards to establish and maintain internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure federal expenditures are accurately reported on the SEFA and to other State agencies, where applicable. Cause: In discussing these conditions with IDHS officials, they stated the differences in the amounts of federal expenditures and amounts passed through to subrecipients in IDHS’ records compared to the SEFA were due to inclusion of accrued expenditures in IDHS’ records and/or some slight differences related to vouchers in transit at the end of the fiscal year. Also, IDHS’ records for one federal grant program did not initially include non-cash expenditures which had been reported on the SEFA. Possible Asserted Effect: Failure to accurately report federal expenditures impedes the completion of an audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance which may result in the suspension of federal funding. Repeat Finding: A similar finding was reported in the prior year audit as finding number 2024-014. (Finding Code 2025-042, 2024-014, 2023-012, 2022-010) Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: We recommend IDHS establish procedures to accurately report federal expenditures (including subrecipient expenditures) used to prepare the SEFA to the IOC. Views of IDHS Officials: The Department accepts the recommendation. IDHS has established additional procedures to ensure federal expenditures (including subrecipient expenditures) are accurately reported.
CFR section 200.305 requires Public Housing Authorities (PHA) to minimize the time federal funds are drawn down to expenditure. The Public Housing Capital Fund provides guidelines of three business days from draw down to expenditure to minimize the interest accrued by the PHA. Per review of all Public Housing Capital Fund funding received by the Authority we noted $1,024,894 of received funding identified as not being expensed within three business days of being received. 2 CFR Subpart F § 200.510(b) requires the auditee to prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) for the period covered by the County’s financial statements which must include the total federal awards expended as determined in accordance with § 200.502. At a minimum, the schedule must: (1) List individual Federal programs by Federal agency. (2) For Federal awards received as a subrecipient, the name of the pass-through entity and identifying number assigned by the pass-through entity must be included. (3) Provide total Federal awards expended for each individual Federal program and the AL number or other identifying number when the AL information is not available. (4) Include the total amount provided to subrecipients from each Federal program. (5) For loan or loan guarantee programs described in § 200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended, paragraph (b), identify in the notes to the schedule the balances outstanding at the end of the audit period. (6) Include notes that describe the significant accounting policies used in preparing the schedule and note whether or not the auditee has elected to use the 10 percent de minimis cost rate as covered in § 200.414 Indirect (F&A) costs. Errors and omissions were noted related to various programs on the Authority’s 2025 schedule, including a $816,389 overstatement of expenditures for the Public Housing Capital Fund program. We recommend the Authority implement increased training on the requirements of not drawing down Public Housing Capital Fund funding until either an allowable expenditure has occurred or will occur within three days after the funding was received. We recommend the Authority implement increased training on the requirements for preparing the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards. We also recommend a greater number of quality control reviews to identify errors before requesting funds and preparing the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing, Federal Agency, and Program Name - 20.205, U.S. Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction; 15.916, U.S. Department of the Interior, Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning Federal Award Identification Number and Year - FAINs not available Pass through Entity - ALN 20.205 Colorado Department of Transportiation; ALN 15.916 Colorado Parks and Wildlife/Land and Water Conservation Fund Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - No Criteria - The Single Audit Act and Uniform Guidance require a nonfederal entity that expends $750,000 or more of federal awards in a fiscal year to have a single or program specific audit. 2 CFR §200.508 (b) indicates that the auditee must prepare financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, in accordance with 2 CFR §200.510. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.502 describes the basis for determining the timing of when federal awards are deemed expended and, therefore, reportable on the schedule. Condition - The schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "SEFA") was not accurate. Questioned Costs - None If questioned costs are not determinable, description of why known questioned costs were undetermined or otherwise could not be reported - Not applicable Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - Not applicable Context - During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the City expended approximately $22,617,000 of federal funding. The initial draft of the SEFA included the following inaccuracies: ALN 20.205 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $19,522 for one award and understated by $145,869 for another award. ALN 15.916 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $45,915 The errors noted above have been corrected on the SEFA as of December 31, 2024. Cause and Effect - Controls in place did not ensure the SEFA was complete and accurate for the fiscal period under audit. The errors resulted in the understatement of federal expenditures. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement a process to ensure that the SEFA is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City accepts this finding. As part of the revision to the City’s grant process and procedures, we will enhance our master grant tracking spreadsheet to ensure grant expenditures are reported correctly. We will collaborate with city departments to ensure costs are recorded correctly. See the corrective action plan.
Assistance Listing, Federal Agency, and Program Name - 20.205, U.S. Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction; 15.916, U.S. Department of the Interior, Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning Federal Award Identification Number and Year - FAINs not available Pass through Entity - ALN 20.205 Colorado Department of Transportiation; ALN 15.916 Colorado Parks and Wildlife/Land and Water Conservation Fund Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - No Criteria - The Single Audit Act and Uniform Guidance require a nonfederal entity that expends $750,000 or more of federal awards in a fiscal year to have a single or program specific audit. 2 CFR §200.508 (b) indicates that the auditee must prepare financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, in accordance with 2 CFR §200.510. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.502 describes the basis for determining the timing of when federal awards are deemed expended and, therefore, reportable on the schedule. Condition - The schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "SEFA") was not accurate. Questioned Costs - None If questioned costs are not determinable, description of why known questioned costs were undetermined or otherwise could not be reported - Not applicable Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - Not applicable Context - During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the City expended approximately $22,617,000 of federal funding. The initial draft of the SEFA included the following inaccuracies: ALN 20.205 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $19,522 for one award and understated by $145,869 for another award. ALN 15.916 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $45,915 The errors noted above have been corrected on the SEFA as of December 31, 2024. Cause and Effect - Controls in place did not ensure the SEFA was complete and accurate for the fiscal period under audit. The errors resulted in the understatement of federal expenditures. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement a process to ensure that the SEFA is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City accepts this finding. As part of the revision to the City’s grant process and procedures, we will enhance our master grant tracking spreadsheet to ensure grant expenditures are reported correctly. We will collaborate with city departments to ensure costs are recorded correctly. See the corrective action plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-002 – Significant Deficiency Award No.: Assistance List No. 15.555 and No. 15.074 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, AL No. 15.074 Passed- Through the Del Puerto Water District Compliance Requirement: Other compliance requirements. Condition: The Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) was not complete, and expenditures reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F (Uniform Guidance) Section 200.502 states, “The auditee should prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements.” Internal controls over preparation of the SEFA should be in place to ensure accrual basis expenses incurred under each federal program are properly reported as expenses on the SEFA and are properly reported as revenue in the financial statements prior to the start of the single audit. Cause: SEFA was not fully reconciled and finalized until after the single audit began. Effect: Expenses were omitted from the SEFA that should have been included and other expenses were included on the SEFA that were not eligible. The SEFA had to be revised for multiple grants over the course of the audit. This delayed the audit testing and major program determination process and could have resulted in the wrong programs being tested as major programs and the single audit not complying with the Uniform Guidance. Context: The District’s Finance Department was not informed of grant amendments that changed the amount of federal funding available. The expenses reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit as follows. • AL No. 15.555 San Joaquin River Restoration Program Poso Canal Bridge Replacement: The District estimated additional reimbursable costs of $30,335 existed for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement grant under a potential new $990,000 grant amendment that was to be signed by the USBR in 2025. The amendment was not approved for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement but the District included the additional reimbursable expenses on the SEFA. The expenses on the SEFA had to be reduced to reflect the eligible federal grant maximum reimbursable expenses under the approved grant agreement at year-end. • AL No. 15.704 Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Expansion: An additional grant amendment was identified during the single audit that authorized an additional $1,262,928 of federal funding. The District had eligible expenses during the period of performance to fully claim the additional funding, but did not include the expenses on the SEFA. Recommendation: We recommend additional review procedures be implemented to ensure the SEFA is complete and accurate when the single audit begins, which includes working with program managers to identify each grant awarded, obtain current executed grant agreements and amendments, reconciling all expenses incurred under each federal awards down to the invoice, payroll check and lowest level of any other costs claimed, cutting-off each expense at year-end and claiming the reconciled qualifying expenses within 45 days after quarter end. At year-end, programs should be reviewed for cost adjustments, extensions, and other changes that should be reflected on the SEFA when reconciling expenses for the SEFA. Separate general ledger program codes should be used for each grant on the SEFA that summarizes expenses down to the individual invoice level that should be provided to the auditor for the single audit. If overclaimed amounts are identified, the grantor and/or pass-through agency should be contacted to determine whether to return the funds or apply the overclaimed amounts to future claims. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management’s response and planned corrective action is included in the Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
Finding 2024-002 – Significant Deficiency Award No.: Assistance List No. 15.555 and No. 15.074 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, AL No. 15.074 Passed- Through the Del Puerto Water District Compliance Requirement: Other compliance requirements. Condition: The Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) was not complete, and expenditures reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F (Uniform Guidance) Section 200.502 states, “The auditee should prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements.” Internal controls over preparation of the SEFA should be in place to ensure accrual basis expenses incurred under each federal program are properly reported as expenses on the SEFA and are properly reported as revenue in the financial statements prior to the start of the single audit. Cause: SEFA was not fully reconciled and finalized until after the single audit began. Effect: Expenses were omitted from the SEFA that should have been included and other expenses were included on the SEFA that were not eligible. The SEFA had to be revised for multiple grants over the course of the audit. This delayed the audit testing and major program determination process and could have resulted in the wrong programs being tested as major programs and the single audit not complying with the Uniform Guidance. Context: The District’s Finance Department was not informed of grant amendments that changed the amount of federal funding available. The expenses reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit as follows. • AL No. 15.555 San Joaquin River Restoration Program Poso Canal Bridge Replacement: The District estimated additional reimbursable costs of $30,335 existed for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement grant under a potential new $990,000 grant amendment that was to be signed by the USBR in 2025. The amendment was not approved for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement but the District included the additional reimbursable expenses on the SEFA. The expenses on the SEFA had to be reduced to reflect the eligible federal grant maximum reimbursable expenses under the approved grant agreement at year-end. • AL No. 15.704 Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Expansion: An additional grant amendment was identified during the single audit that authorized an additional $1,262,928 of federal funding. The District had eligible expenses during the period of performance to fully claim the additional funding, but did not include the expenses on the SEFA. Recommendation: We recommend additional review procedures be implemented to ensure the SEFA is complete and accurate when the single audit begins, which includes working with program managers to identify each grant awarded, obtain current executed grant agreements and amendments, reconciling all expenses incurred under each federal awards down to the invoice, payroll check and lowest level of any other costs claimed, cutting-off each expense at year-end and claiming the reconciled qualifying expenses within 45 days after quarter end. At year-end, programs should be reviewed for cost adjustments, extensions, and other changes that should be reflected on the SEFA when reconciling expenses for the SEFA. Separate general ledger program codes should be used for each grant on the SEFA that summarizes expenses down to the individual invoice level that should be provided to the auditor for the single audit. If overclaimed amounts are identified, the grantor and/or pass-through agency should be contacted to determine whether to return the funds or apply the overclaimed amounts to future claims. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management’s response and planned corrective action is included in the Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
Identification as a Repeat Finding: No Finding: The Organization omitted the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Assistance Loan (EIDL) from the initial draft of the SEFA presented to auditors. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.502 requires the auditee to report federal awards expended under loan programs including the balance of loans from previous years at the beginning of the audit period for which the Federal Government imposes continuing compliance requirements. The EIDL loan requires annual reporting to the Small Business Administration (SBA) as noted in prior year Finding 2023-002. Sample Size and Population: Not applicable Condition and Context: The EIDL loan totaling $584,853 was omitted from the draft SEFA provided to auditors on May 15, 2025. Effect: Exclusion understated total federal awards by 8%, changing the preliminary major-program determination and potentially reducing audit coverage below the required 40% threshold. Cause: The Organization did not identify ongoing compliance requirements associated with the EIDL loan. Management relied on SBA guidance that addresses PPP loans and other SBA programs but do not mention COVID-19 Relief EIDL programs, indicating a training gap in award-specific requirements. Recommendations: We recommend the Organization review loan agreements and program specific guidance for continuing compliance requirements before removing federal loans from the SEFA. Questioned Costs: None Management Response: Management response is reported in the “Corrective Action Plan” at the end of this report. Contact Person: Marc Cote, Executive Director 206-542-6644
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name - ALN 20.205, Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction - ALN 21.027, Department of the Treasury, COVID-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Federal Award Identification Number and Year - ALN 20.205: SHO M455- 136 (2024), STU M455-129 (2024), STU 2873-215 (2024), CRP M455-164 (2024), SHO M455-137 (2024), SHO M455-135 (2024), and STU M455-125 (2024) - ALN 21.027: N/A Pass-through Entity - ALN 20.205: Colorado Department of Transportation - ALN 21.027: N/A Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - Yes 2023-003 Criteria - According to 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to the events that require the nonfederal entity to comply with federal status, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards, such as expenditure/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Condition - The fiscal year 2024 schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) that was initially provided to the auditors was incorrect because it included expenditures related to fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Questioned Costs - N/A If Questioned Costs are not Determinable, Description of why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could not be Reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Within Highway Planning and Construction, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $142,724 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023. There was also $16,128 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2024 that was not reported on the initial SEFA. Within Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, the expenditures reported on the initial SEFA included $15,921 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2023 and $99,200 that related to expenditures incurred in fiscal year 2025. Cause and Effect - The City reported federal expenditures in congruence with requests for reimbursement from the federal agency, rather than when the expenditures was incurred. Recommendation - The City should implement controls to ensure that the SEFA is prepared in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - The City of Fort Collins, Colorado has determined that two separate and identifiable root causes led to the inclusion of expenditures from fiscal years 2023 and 2025 in the initial fiscal year 2024 SEFA. 1. Improper Accrual of Prepayments: A small number of transactions involving partial prepayments were not properly accrued in accordance with accounting standards. To address this issue, the City will implement a formal review process where all reimbursement requests are reviewed by the grant accountant prior to submission. This review will include a targeted examination of expenditure listings to identify and ensure appropriate treatment of any transactions requiring accrual as prepayments. 2. Inconsistencies Between Reimbursement Packets and the General Ledger: For the Highway Planning and Construction Cluster, the SEFA preparation process previously relied on reimbursement request packets compiled by departmental staff. In some cases, these packets did not accurately reflect the timing of expenditures recorded in the general ledger. To enhance accuracy, the City will implement a reconciliation procedure requiring the grant accountant to cross-reference reimbursement packet data with the general ledger during SEFA preparation. This step will help ensure that all expenditures are properly reported in the appropriate fiscal year. The City is confident that these corrective actions will strengthen internal controls over SEFA preparation and prevent recurrence of similar issues in future reporting periods.
Assistance Listing, Federal Agency, and Program Name - 20.205, U.S. Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction; 15.916, U.S. Department of the Interior, Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning Federal Award Identification Number and Year - FAINs not available Pass through Entity - ALN 20.205 Colorado Department of Transportiation; ALN 15.916 Colorado Parks and Wildlife/Land and Water Conservation Fund Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - No Criteria - The Single Audit Act and Uniform Guidance require a nonfederal entity that expends $750,000 or more of federal awards in a fiscal year to have a single or program specific audit. 2 CFR §200.508 (b) indicates that the auditee must prepare financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, in accordance with 2 CFR §200.510. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.502 describes the basis for determining the timing of when federal awards are deemed expended and, therefore, reportable on the schedule. Condition - The schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "SEFA") was not accurate. Questioned Costs - None If questioned costs are not determinable, description of why known questioned costs were undetermined or otherwise could not be reported - Not applicable Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - Not applicable Context - During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the City expended approximately $22,617,000 of federal funding. The initial draft of the SEFA included the following inaccuracies: ALN 20.205 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $19,522 for one award and understated by $145,869 for another award. ALN 15.916 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $45,915 The errors noted above have been corrected on the SEFA as of December 31, 2024. Cause and Effect - Controls in place did not ensure the SEFA was complete and accurate for the fiscal period under audit. The errors resulted in the understatement of federal expenditures. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement a process to ensure that the SEFA is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City accepts this finding. As part of the revision to the City’s grant process and procedures, we will enhance our master grant tracking spreadsheet to ensure grant expenditures are reported correctly. We will collaborate with city departments to ensure costs are recorded correctly. See the corrective action plan.
Assistance Listing, Federal Agency, and Program Name - 20.205, U.S. Department of Transportation, Highway Planning and Construction; 15.916, U.S. Department of the Interior, Outdoor Recreation, Acquisition, Development and Planning Federal Award Identification Number and Year - FAINs not available Pass through Entity - ALN 20.205 Colorado Department of Transportiation; ALN 15.916 Colorado Parks and Wildlife/Land and Water Conservation Fund Finding Type - Material weakness Repeat Finding - No Criteria - The Single Audit Act and Uniform Guidance require a nonfederal entity that expends $750,000 or more of federal awards in a fiscal year to have a single or program specific audit. 2 CFR §200.508 (b) indicates that the auditee must prepare financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of federal awards, in accordance with 2 CFR §200.510. Additionally, 2 CFR §200.502 describes the basis for determining the timing of when federal awards are deemed expended and, therefore, reportable on the schedule. Condition - The schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the "SEFA") was not accurate. Questioned Costs - None If questioned costs are not determinable, description of why known questioned costs were undetermined or otherwise could not be reported - Not applicable Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - Not applicable Context - During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the City expended approximately $22,617,000 of federal funding. The initial draft of the SEFA included the following inaccuracies: ALN 20.205 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $19,522 for one award and understated by $145,869 for another award. ALN 15.916 The expenditures reported on the SEFA were overstated by $45,915 The errors noted above have been corrected on the SEFA as of December 31, 2024. Cause and Effect - Controls in place did not ensure the SEFA was complete and accurate for the fiscal period under audit. The errors resulted in the understatement of federal expenditures. Recommendation - We recommend the City implement a process to ensure that the SEFA is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions - The City accepts this finding. As part of the revision to the City’s grant process and procedures, we will enhance our master grant tracking spreadsheet to ensure grant expenditures are reported correctly. We will collaborate with city departments to ensure costs are recorded correctly. See the corrective action plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-001: Reportable Finding Considered a Significant Deficiency – Inclusion of Unallowable Costs in the SEFA Program Name: STEM Education Assistance Listing #: 47.076 Program Year: 2024 Federal Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation Compliance Requirement: SEFA Preparation Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, §200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a SEFA for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502. The SEFA must also include the CFDA number, the name of the Federal program, and the total amount expended. Condition: During our allowable cost testing, four exceptions were noted out of 15 selections. The first exception involved a transaction that included an estimated expense exceeding the actual cost incurred and falling outside the grant’s period of allowability. The other 3 exceptions pertained to an expense related to a future fiscal year, which had not yet been incurred at the time of recognition and was outside the grant’s period of performance. The client did not request reimbursement for these expenditures and subsequently removed them from the general ledger in 2024. However, the removal of these expenses was not properly reflected on the SEFA schedule. Cause: The improper preparation of the SEFA schedule was due to inadequate internal controls over financial reporting and lack of proper training for staff responsible for reporting the SEFA expenditures. Additionally, there was insufficient review and oversight of the SEFA preparation process. Effect: A total of $19,374 of expenses were incorrectly included in the SEFA. Failure to remove these expenses from the SEFA misrepresented the total amount of federal assistance expanded and may impair the usefulness of the SEFA for the oversight federal agency. Questioned Costs: None. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization revise its SEFA preparation procedures to ensure that only allowable and reimbursable expenditures of federal awards are reported. Management should provide additional training to staff responsible for SEFA preparation and implement a formal review process to verify the accuracy of SEFA amounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action (unaudited): See Corrective Action Plan.
Finding 2024-002 – Significant Deficiency Award No.: Assistance List No. 15.555 and No. 15.074 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, AL No. 15.074 Passed- Through the Del Puerto Water District Compliance Requirement: Other compliance requirements. Condition: The Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) was not complete, and expenditures reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F (Uniform Guidance) Section 200.502 states, “The auditee should prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements.” Internal controls over preparation of the SEFA should be in place to ensure accrual basis expenses incurred under each federal program are properly reported as expenses on the SEFA and are properly reported as revenue in the financial statements prior to the start of the single audit. Cause: SEFA was not fully reconciled and finalized until after the single audit began. Effect: Expenses were omitted from the SEFA that should have been included and other expenses were included on the SEFA that were not eligible. The SEFA had to be revised for multiple grants over the course of the audit. This delayed the audit testing and major program determination process and could have resulted in the wrong programs being tested as major programs and the single audit not complying with the Uniform Guidance. Context: The District’s Finance Department was not informed of grant amendments that changed the amount of federal funding available. The expenses reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit as follows. • AL No. 15.555 San Joaquin River Restoration Program Poso Canal Bridge Replacement: The District estimated additional reimbursable costs of $30,335 existed for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement grant under a potential new $990,000 grant amendment that was to be signed by the USBR in 2025. The amendment was not approved for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement but the District included the additional reimbursable expenses on the SEFA. The expenses on the SEFA had to be reduced to reflect the eligible federal grant maximum reimbursable expenses under the approved grant agreement at year-end. • AL No. 15.704 Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Expansion: An additional grant amendment was identified during the single audit that authorized an additional $1,262,928 of federal funding. The District had eligible expenses during the period of performance to fully claim the additional funding, but did not include the expenses on the SEFA. Recommendation: We recommend additional review procedures be implemented to ensure the SEFA is complete and accurate when the single audit begins, which includes working with program managers to identify each grant awarded, obtain current executed grant agreements and amendments, reconciling all expenses incurred under each federal awards down to the invoice, payroll check and lowest level of any other costs claimed, cutting-off each expense at year-end and claiming the reconciled qualifying expenses within 45 days after quarter end. At year-end, programs should be reviewed for cost adjustments, extensions, and other changes that should be reflected on the SEFA when reconciling expenses for the SEFA. Separate general ledger program codes should be used for each grant on the SEFA that summarizes expenses down to the individual invoice level that should be provided to the auditor for the single audit. If overclaimed amounts are identified, the grantor and/or pass-through agency should be contacted to determine whether to return the funds or apply the overclaimed amounts to future claims. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management’s response and planned corrective action is included in the Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
Finding 2024-002 – Significant Deficiency Award No.: Assistance List No. 15.555 and No. 15.074 Federal Grantor: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, AL No. 15.074 Passed- Through the Del Puerto Water District Compliance Requirement: Other compliance requirements. Condition: The Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) was not complete, and expenditures reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit. Criteria: 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F (Uniform Guidance) Section 200.502 states, “The auditee should prepare a Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements.” Internal controls over preparation of the SEFA should be in place to ensure accrual basis expenses incurred under each federal program are properly reported as expenses on the SEFA and are properly reported as revenue in the financial statements prior to the start of the single audit. Cause: SEFA was not fully reconciled and finalized until after the single audit began. Effect: Expenses were omitted from the SEFA that should have been included and other expenses were included on the SEFA that were not eligible. The SEFA had to be revised for multiple grants over the course of the audit. This delayed the audit testing and major program determination process and could have resulted in the wrong programs being tested as major programs and the single audit not complying with the Uniform Guidance. Context: The District’s Finance Department was not informed of grant amendments that changed the amount of federal funding available. The expenses reported on the SEFA were revised during the single audit as follows. • AL No. 15.555 San Joaquin River Restoration Program Poso Canal Bridge Replacement: The District estimated additional reimbursable costs of $30,335 existed for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement grant under a potential new $990,000 grant amendment that was to be signed by the USBR in 2025. The amendment was not approved for the Poso Canal Bridge Replacement but the District included the additional reimbursable expenses on the SEFA. The expenses on the SEFA had to be reduced to reflect the eligible federal grant maximum reimbursable expenses under the approved grant agreement at year-end. • AL No. 15.704 Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects Orestimba Creek Recharge and Recovery Expansion: An additional grant amendment was identified during the single audit that authorized an additional $1,262,928 of federal funding. The District had eligible expenses during the period of performance to fully claim the additional funding, but did not include the expenses on the SEFA. Recommendation: We recommend additional review procedures be implemented to ensure the SEFA is complete and accurate when the single audit begins, which includes working with program managers to identify each grant awarded, obtain current executed grant agreements and amendments, reconciling all expenses incurred under each federal awards down to the invoice, payroll check and lowest level of any other costs claimed, cutting-off each expense at year-end and claiming the reconciled qualifying expenses within 45 days after quarter end. At year-end, programs should be reviewed for cost adjustments, extensions, and other changes that should be reflected on the SEFA when reconciling expenses for the SEFA. Separate general ledger program codes should be used for each grant on the SEFA that summarizes expenses down to the individual invoice level that should be provided to the auditor for the single audit. If overclaimed amounts are identified, the grantor and/or pass-through agency should be contacted to determine whether to return the funds or apply the overclaimed amounts to future claims. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management’s response and planned corrective action is included in the Corrective Action Plan included at the end of the report.
Identification as a Repeat Finding: No Finding: The Organization omitted the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Assistance Loan (EIDL) from the initial draft of the SEFA presented to auditors. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.502 requires the auditee to report federal awards expended under loan programs including the balance of loans from previous years at the beginning of the audit period for which the Federal Government imposes continuing compliance requirements. The EIDL loan requires annual reporting to the Small Business Administration (SBA) as noted in prior year Finding 2023-002. Sample Size and Population: Not applicable Condition and Context: The EIDL loan totaling $584,853 was omitted from the draft SEFA provided to auditors on May 15, 2025. Effect: Exclusion understated total federal awards by 8%, changing the preliminary major-program determination and potentially reducing audit coverage below the required 40% threshold. Cause: The Organization did not identify ongoing compliance requirements associated with the EIDL loan. Management relied on SBA guidance that addresses PPP loans and other SBA programs but do not mention COVID-19 Relief EIDL programs, indicating a training gap in award-specific requirements. Recommendations: We recommend the Organization review loan agreements and program specific guidance for continuing compliance requirements before removing federal loans from the SEFA. Questioned Costs: None Management Response: Management response is reported in the “Corrective Action Plan” at the end of this report. Contact Person: Marc Cote, Executive Director 206-542-6644
2024-003 – Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Federal program information: Funding Agency: All major program funding agencies Title: All major programs Assistance Listing Number: All major program ALN’s Award Periods: All major program award periods Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.510 (b), requires the Department to prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the Department’s financial statements and the SEFA must include the total awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. Condition: Certain federal programs on the SEFA had inaccurate Assistance Listing Numbers (ALN) and/or ALN’s were not included on the initial client prepared SEFA. In addition, several audit adjustments were needed to correct the expenditures reported on the SEFA. Furthermore, significant adjustments were needed to correct the ending and beginning receivable/unearned revenue balances. Lastly, several programs with different ALN’s are included in the same fund and were not broken out on the SEFA. Additional effort was needed to break out the cash receipts and expenditures for each of the different ALN’s. Context: Based on review of the ALN’s and the amounts reported on the SEFA. Questioned Costs: None. Cause: Internal controls were not designed and implemented to ensure accurate preparation of the SEFA. Effect: Revisions were needed to accurately prepare the SEFA by ALN and to ensure expenditures and receivable/unearned revenue balances were properly reported. Without proper internal controls there is the risk that errors and misstatements could exist and not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. Auditors’ Recommendation: Internal control procedures should be established to ensure that an accurate SEFA is prepared in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The SEFA should be reviewed by someone independent from the preparer to verify the accuracy of the information. Beginning balances should agree to the prior year balances. Accrual entries and expense balances should be finalized before the preparation of the SEFA. For the BIE School Grant fund, ensure expenditures and cash receipts are broken out by the different ALN’s on the SEFA. Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Governmental Services Department Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs — continued For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 Section III — Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs – continued 2024-003 – Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards – continued Management Response: The Finance Department will begin close out work on the year under audit as soon as the year ends, so that all accounts, including expenditures will be accurately adjusted before the SEFA is prepared. Finance will verify all Assistance Listing Numbers on the SEFA. Once the SEFA is prepared, it will be independently reviewed by a contracted CPA before submitting the SEFA to the auditor.
2024-003 – Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Federal program information: Funding Agency: All major program funding agencies Title: All major programs Assistance Listing Number: All major program ALN’s Award Periods: All major program award periods Criteria: 2 CFR section 200.510 (b), requires the Department to prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the Department’s financial statements and the SEFA must include the total awards expended as determined in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. Condition: Certain federal programs on the SEFA had inaccurate Assistance Listing Numbers (ALN) and/or ALN’s were not included on the initial client prepared SEFA. In addition, several audit adjustments were needed to correct the expenditures reported on the SEFA. Furthermore, significant adjustments were needed to correct the ending and beginning receivable/unearned revenue balances. Lastly, several programs with different ALN’s are included in the same fund and were not broken out on the SEFA. Additional effort was needed to break out the cash receipts and expenditures for each of the different ALN’s. Context: Based on review of the ALN’s and the amounts reported on the SEFA. Questioned Costs: None. Cause: Internal controls were not designed and implemented to ensure accurate preparation of the SEFA. Effect: Revisions were needed to accurately prepare the SEFA by ALN and to ensure expenditures and receivable/unearned revenue balances were properly reported. Without proper internal controls there is the risk that errors and misstatements could exist and not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. Auditors’ Recommendation: Internal control procedures should be established to ensure that an accurate SEFA is prepared in accordance with 2 CFR §200.502. The SEFA should be reviewed by someone independent from the preparer to verify the accuracy of the information. Beginning balances should agree to the prior year balances. Accrual entries and expense balances should be finalized before the preparation of the SEFA. For the BIE School Grant fund, ensure expenditures and cash receipts are broken out by the different ALN’s on the SEFA. Duckwater Shoshone Tribe Governmental Services Department Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs — continued For the Year Ended December 31, 2024 Section III — Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs – continued 2024-003 – Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards – continued Management Response: The Finance Department will begin close out work on the year under audit as soon as the year ends, so that all accounts, including expenditures will be accurately adjusted before the SEFA is prepared. Finance will verify all Assistance Listing Numbers on the SEFA. Once the SEFA is prepared, it will be independently reviewed by a contracted CPA before submitting the SEFA to the auditor.
2024 001 Reporting and Procurement U.S. Department of the Treasury: Passed-through State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: COVID 19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ALN 21.027) Contract Number and Years: G2022 09 (03/02/2021 – 12/31/2026) Statistically Valid Sample: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample Repeat Finding: Yes (2023-001) Finding Type: Material Weakness, Material Noncompliance Criteria Reporting Per 2 CFR 200.502, the determination of when a Federal award is expended must be based on when the activity related to the Federal award occurs. Generally, the activity pertains to events that require the non Federal statutes, regulations and the terms and conditions of Federal awards, such as: expenditures/expense transactions associated with awards including grants. Further, the Uniform Guidance compliance supplement notes, each recipient must report program outlays and program income on a cash or accrual basis, as prescribed by the Federal awarding agency. In accordance with the grant agreement and the reporting requirements for the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, direct grants and pass through funds are fulfilled utilizing an advanced payment method and tracking reports. The grantee shall submit quarterly financial reports, in a format to be provided by the Department, and including the number of government full time employees responding to COVID 19 as supported by this funding. The reports are prepared and submitted to allow for relevant and reliable information to be provided to the Federal government or State of New Jersey for tracking purposes. The reports are the source documents for the grantee to prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the grantee’s financial statements in accordance with 2 CFR 200.502, Basis for determining Federal awards expended, for the SEFA. Procurement Non Federal entities other than states, including those operating Federal programs as subrecipients of states, must follow the procurement standards set out at 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.326. They must use their own documented procurement procedures, which reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, provided that the procurements conform to applicable Federal statutes and the procurement requirements identified in 2 CFR Part 200. A non Federal entity must: 1. Meet the general procurement standards in 2 CFR section 200.318, which include oversight of contractors’ performance, maintaining written standards of conduct for employees involved in contracting, awarding contracts only to responsible contractors, and maintaining records to document history of procurements. 2. Conduct all procurement transactions in a manner providing full and open competition, in accordance with 2 CFR section 200.319. 3. Use the micro purchase and small purchase methods only for procurements that meet the applicable criteria under 2 CFR sections 200.320(a) (1) and (2). Under the micro purchase method, the aggregate dollar amount does not exceed $10,000 ($2,000 in the case of acquisition for construction subject to the Wage Rate Requirements (Davis Bacon Act)). Small purchase procedures are used for purchases that exceed the micro purchase amount but do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold ($250,000). Micro purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations if the non Federal entity considers the price to be reasonable (2 CFR section 200.320(a)). If small purchase procedures are used, price or rate quotations must be obtained from an adequate number of qualified sources (2 CFR section 200.320(b)). In accordance with the grant agreement and the reporting requirements for the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, recipients may use award funds to enter into contracts to procure goods and services necessary to implement one or more of the eligible purposes outlined in sections 602(c) and 603(c) of the Act and Treasury’s Interim Final Rule and Final Rule. As such, recipients are expected to have procurement policies and procedures in place that comply with the procurement standards outlined in the Uniform Guidance. Under the program, St. Joseph’s Health, Inc. must follow the procurement standards in 2 CFR sections 200.318 through 200.327, including ensuring that the procurement method used for the contracts are appropriate based on the dollar amount and conditions specified in 2 CFR section 200.320. Internal Control Additionally, in accordance with Federal requirements, a non Federal entity shall maintain internal controls over Federal programs designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are executed in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award that could have a direct and material effect on a Federal program. Condition and Context Reporting On a quarterly basis, St. Joseph’s Health, Inc. (the System) prepares and reports to New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (the Department) the program expenditures for Federal funding amounts on the tracking report of expenditures, which are then used to prepare the annual SEFA in conjunction with the general ledger detail at the end of the fiscal year. While expenditures per the SEFA as prepared by the System were accurate and the quarterly reporting was accepted by the State, the System’s expenditures per the report of expenditures continue to be based upon purchase order amounts, which include expenditures that were incurred subsequent to year end. Procurement Further, the System engaged multiple vendors for several projects under the G2022 09 grant that were above the $10K micro purchase threshold, but below the simplified acquisition threshold. However, the System did not obtain multiple quotes from different vendors to encourage fair competition in the market. The System’s policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the above compliance requirements did not include certain internal controls that were designed properly and operating effectively to ensure that the System properly reported costs on the report of expenditures or obtained the necessary quotes from potential bidders for procurements over the micro purchase threshold. Cause Management’s review of the submitted quarterly report of expenditures continuing not to be identified the need for a reconciliation of incurred expenditures and purchase order balances reported to the Department and as such, as there is a variance between the amounts reported on the SEFA and the amounts reported to the Department on the quarterly reports of approximately $2.1 million. We noted, however, that this variance did not represent any unallowable costs. Additionally, Management did not retain or obtain the required documentation indicating quotes from multiple vendors were obtained for the ongoing construction projects under the grant. Effect The System had a material variance in the amount of expenditures reported to the Department as compared to the SEFA and did not obtain multiple quotations from vendors when making selections for various projects ongoing under the Federal program. Questioned Costs None Recommendation Reporting We recommend that the System strengthen its processes and internal controls to ensure the tracking of each report of expenditures provided to the Department has a reconciliation of the amount of expenditures incurred in the period based upon the general ledger and accounting records, used to prepare the annual SEFA, as compared to the purchase order balances. Procurement We recommend that the System strengthen its processes and internal controls to ensure that all procurement related transactions are supported by the appropriate bidding documentation as required by the Uniform Guidance for each respective bidding threshold. View of Responsible Official Management agrees with the auditor’s recommendations and will strengthen its processes and internal controls to ensure the report of expenditures provided to the Department has a reconciliation of the amount of expenditures incurred in the period compared to the purchase order balances and all procurement transactions contain the required bidding documentation for each bidding threshold in accordance with the Uniform Guidance.
Assistance Number: 16.753 Congressionally Recommended Awards (CRA) Year: 2024 Name of Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Justice Name of Pass-Thru Agency: Direct award Type of Compliance Finding: B – Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Condition: 2 CFR Part 200, section 200.510 requires the City to prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the financial statements. The City’s Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) for the year ended December 31, 2024, included expenditures that were incurred in the prior fiscal year. These prior year expenditures were not reported on the 2023 SEFA and incorrectly reported in the current year Criteria: An entity that expends federal awards must have controls in place that would enable the entity to prepare a SEFA including controls that determine the accuracy of the amount of expenditures reported for each federal program. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.502(a), expenditures are to be reported on the SEFA in the fiscal year in which the activity related to the federal award occurs. Questioned Costs: N/A Context: The City did not report $705,791 of expenses on the 2023 SEFA and instead reported these amounts on the 2024 SEFA. Cause: The error occurred due to inadequate review procedures over the preparation of the SEFA. Specifically, the City did not reconcile SEFA amounts to program reports to ensure expenditures were reported correctly at year-end. Effect: The SEFA understated expenditures in the prior year and overstated expenditures in the current year, potentially misleading federal agencies and pass-through entities about the City’s use of federal funds. This could impact risk assessments, reporting accuracy, and decisions regarding future funding. The lack of an accurate and complete SEFA could lead to grant noncompliance and noncompliance with Subpart F, Audit Requirements, of 2 CFR Part 200. Recommendation: We recommend the City strengthen its SEFA preparation and review process by: • Reconciling federal expenditures reported on the SEFA to the general ledger by program and grant year. • Implementing a secondary review to verify that no prior year expenditures are included in current year reporting. • Providing staff with training on SEFA preparation requirements under 2 CFR Part 200. Views of Responsible Officials (Unaudited): City leadership agrees with the auditor’s finding and appreciates the recommendations for improvements. The same root causes identified in Finding 2024-003 – system transition, staff turnover, and decentralized grant management – contributed to this compliance issue. The City recognizes the need for stronger internal controls, centralized oversight, and consistent review of grant management.
#2024-007 – Major Federal Award Finding – Federal Grants Management Nature of Finding: Federal Grants Management – Preparation and Maintenance of Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Compliance Finding and Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance Criteria/Condition: Per 2 CFR 200.510(b), the auditee must prepare a schedule of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) for the period covered by the auditee’s financial statements, which must include the total federal awards expended, as determined in accordance with §200.502. For SEFA reporting, the components of the SEFA were not accurately maintained. Cause/Context: While the Organization has a policy related to grant administration and tracking of expenditures, the procedures and controls relating to the policy were not properly implemented during 2024. Effect: Expenditures for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds grants were not accurately reported on the auditee-prepared SEFA. The SEFA presented has been adjusted for these errors. Controls in place did not sufficiently ensure the completeness and accuracy of the SEFA. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization enhance its procedures and controls to ensure data accumulated to prepare the SEFA is complete and accurate. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: We lacked consistent grant-level financial reporting, which made preparation of the required Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) difficult and time consuming. We have improved our accounting systems and can now procedure regular internal financial reports by grant. All grant managers are given a monthly transaction listing for their grants to ensure transactions are posted to the correct grant. They are also given monthly financial statements for each grant to reconcile to their records. Financial reporting will be done on a timely basis, ideally no more than 5 days after the month closing so grant managers can reconcile their records.
Finding #2024-003 – Significant Deficiency and Other Noncompliance. Applicable federal programs: U. S. Department of Agriculture, State Administrative Matching Grants for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP Cluster), Assistance listing #: 10.561, Passed through Texas Health and Human Services, Contract #: 529-16-002-00002, Contract Year: 10/01/23 – 09/30/24 and 10/01/24 – 09/30/25, Passed through New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and City Harvest, Inc., Contract #: None, Contract Year: 10/01/23 – 09/30/24, Passed through New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Contract #: TDA01 – C00043GM-3410000, Contract Year: 10/010/24 – 09/30/25, Passed through The Regents of the University of California, Contract #: A22-1456-S002, Contract Year: 10/01/23 – 09/30/24, Passed through Pennsylvania State University, Contract #: S006438-COP-BRB, Contract Year: 10/01/24 – 09/30/25, Passed through New Mexico State University, Contract #: GSA 22-630-9000-0023, Contract Years: 10/01/23 – 09/30/24 and 10/01/24 – 09/30/25. Department of Treasury, Passed through Houston Food Bank, COVID-19 – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Assistance Listing #: 21.027, Contract #: HHS000493200003, Contact Year: 02/08/23 – 12/31/25. Applicable state programs: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Surplus Agricultural Products Grant Program, Contract #: GA-555-01, Contract Years: 09/01/23 – 08/31/24 and 09/01/24 – 08/31/25. Criteria: Reporting – Management is responsible for preparing the schedule of expenditures of federal awards in accordance with §200.502 of 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and the Schedule of Expenditures of State Awards (SESA) in Accordance with Texas Grant Management Standards, which requires costs to be reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Condition and context: During our testing of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and the SESA, we noted that the expenditures were not reported in accordance with GAAP. An adjustment of $268,000 was recorded to properly state the expenditures. Cause: Brighter Bites reported the expenditures based on the cash basis grant billings. Effect: Failure to have an effective system of internal control over the preparation of the SEFA and SESA resulted in expenditures being understated. Recommendation: Implement policies and procedures to ensure that all expenditures have been properly recorded in accordance with GAAP in the SEFA and SESA. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.